Duration2012-Present

Location13 Departments, Colombia

Themes

Partners

Integral Program Children and Adolescents with Opportunities

This program is designed to combat the forced recruitment of children and adolescents by armed groups and criminal entities through the creation of centers—called casas lúdicas, or playful homes—that can ensure the safe development of children and adolescents through the promotion of educational, sports and cultural initiatives that take place during after school hours.

This initiative, funded by Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with PADF and local municipalities in 13 departments (provinces), is geared toward at-risk children and youth aged 8 through 16 years, their families, local communities, and institutions that value the protection of children in Colombia.

These safe spaces, or centers, provide children and youth with access to educational materials such as books, computers, and musical instruments as part of a strategy to keep them involve in activities and reduce their vulnerability to armed groups.

These centers also help build the social fabric in the communities by carrying out activities in the following areas: